Kardyvach, Protected lake in Krasnodar Krai, Russia
Kardyvach is a high-altitude lake in the Greater Caucasus mountains at approximately 1838 meters elevation, with an oval shape about 450 meters long and 230 meters wide. The water sits in a rocky basin surrounded by steep mountain walls and coniferous forest that descends toward lower valleys.
The lake formed approximately 3500 years ago through glacial action in the Caucasus during the last ice age. Over time, sediment has gradually accumulated on the lake floor, causing the water body to become shallower and smaller.
The name Kardyvach comes from Karachai and Abazin languages, meaning a clearing in a mountain hollow. This name reflects how local people traditionally understood and described the geography of this high-altitude location.
Access starts from Krasnaya Polyana using an off-road vehicle to reach the trailhead, followed by an 18-kilometer hike along the Mzymta River valley. The terrain is steep and exposed, so bring proper hiking gear and be prepared for changing mountain weather conditions.
The lake remains frozen for about eight months each year, which means it is accessible to visitors only during a brief summer season. A waterfall downstream prevents fish from establishing populations in these cold waters.
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